Screening Statistics
 The median size of tumors found
  At screening is about 1.1 cm
 The median invasive breast cancer
  doubling time is about 130 days
 Only half women returned for the
  annual exams after 1.5 years
Conclusion:  Women will benefit
from more frequent screening
Studies at MGH show the efficiency of
mammography detection vs. tumor size
(relative to tumors of 1.2-2.2 cm)
Limitations of screening mammogram:
Difficulty in imaging lymph nodes and around the areola
X-ray dose limits prevent frequent screening
Painful and uncomfortable for women, especially those with dense
breast tissue